Arch Street Meeting House (ASMH) is an 1804 Quaker meetinghouse in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa.
After a brief winter hiatus, ASMH reopened to the general public in March. In celebration of the museum’s reopening and the soft launch of its new capital campaign, supporters gathered on April 11 for an evening with Paul Steinke, of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, who discussed the evolution of the historic preservation movement in Philadelphia, and how buildings such as ASMH have helped shape the future of the city.
This summer, Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust received nearly $300,000 in grants, including from the Lilly Endowment, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Thomas H. and Mary Williams Shoemaker Fund, to put toward its capital campaign goal.
During the City of Philadelphia’s Independence Week, which ran June 29–July 7, over 1,700 visitors and Friends from across the country stopped by ASMH. Celebrations included George Fox’s 400th Birthday event on June 29; and the first annual Red, White, & Blue To-Do on July 2, organized by the Philadelphia Visitor Center to highlight the museums, historic sites, and local businesses in the city’s historic district.
During its inaugural summer, the Friends Pantry and Community Fridge at ASMH distributed groceries, non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, and more to community members living in economic need.
Comments on Friendsjournal.org may be used in the Forum of the print magazine and may be edited for length and clarity.